Exhibit 23.1



                   [LETTERHEAD OF GRIMSLEY, WHITE & COMPANY]



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



Board of Directors
High Country State Bancorp, Inc.


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
on Form S-8 of High  Country  Bancorp,  Inc. of our report dated August 13, 2003
relating to the consolidated  statements of financial  condition of High Country
Bancorp,  Inc. as of June 30, 2003, and the related  consolidated  statements of
income,  equity and cash flows for the year  ended and to the  reference  to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.


                                        /s/Grimsley, White & Company

                                        GRIMSLEY, WHITE & COMPANY

December 18, 2003